Page 41 of Kiss of Steel

“I wish,” Fury said. “There’s beenanotherdelay.”

“I’m sorry.” It didn’t seem fair the meet-up kept getting pushed back.

Fury shrugged. “Nothing I can do except wait it out. But I’m beginning to worry Cosmic Mates might have saddled me with somebody sickly. That’s two delays due to illness.”

“What is it this time?”

He shrugged. “They don’t know. Or wouldn’t tell me. In light of the delays, they decided I should proceed with my work assignment rather than cool my heels at the intake center. My match will meet me here when she finally arrives.”

“Quite a coincidence we got sent to the same place.”

“No coincidence. Good planning.” He grinned. “They gave me a few options, and when I found out you were here, I thought I’d come, too.” He slugged Steel’s shoulder. “After all, I am your brother from another tank.”

Fury and Honoriawerehis family, and now he had them both together. And, when Fury’s future wife arrived, he’d have a sister-in-law, another family member. His life had never been fuller or richer. “Youarelike a brother to me. I’m glad you came,” he said sincerely.

Fury wiped a fake tear from the corner of his eye. “You have changed. When do I get to meet the wonder woman who transformed you into a semi-likeable, not-quite-so-obnoxious almost-human cyborg?”

There was a gasp and a crash.

They whipped around.

Honoria stood in the open doorway, a box at her feet, food strewn on the floor. “It’s you! I know you!” Her wide-eyed horrified gaze zeroed in on Fury before shifting to Steel. “You…you…you’re a cyborg, too!

“It’s not what you think…” Stretching out his arm in a plea for understanding, Steel started toward her.

“Stop! Don’t come any closer.” The terror on her face tore at his heart. She believed he would hurt her.

He halted. “Honoria, please…” he said in a low voice, trying to calm her panic.

She spun around and ran from the barn.

“Honoria, wait!”

* * * *

Go. Go. Go!Honoria sprinted across the paddock.

Steel called her name, and the lobster man working on the wagon outside the barn shouted something at her, but she didn’t stop, sheer panic spurring her on.

He’s a cyborg. He works for Solutions.He’s an assassin. Blane sent him. He came to kill me.Was there no place in the galaxy where she’d be safe?

Faster. Faster. Run faster. He’ll be coming.She couldn’t hear him, but she knew how silently he moved. She didn’t dare check, couldn’t risk slowing. She had to reach the ranch office, get to foreman Phibious. But could he protect her from a cyborg assassin?

Once upon a time, she’d believed cyborgs to be urban legend, until she’d snooped around Blane’s home office and solved the mystery of what the consulting company stored in its warehouse. With shocking hindsight, she’d realized she’d previously encountered a cyborg. Returning to work early after lunch one day, a model-handsome blond man had been leaving Blane’s office. He’d flashed a megawatt smile, but his menacing aura chilled her to the bone, and she found his wide grin more threatening than charming. She’d been relieved to see him leave.

That same “man” was here at Haven. He and Steel knew each other. Her husband’s idiosyncrasies made terrifying sense. He wasn’t human.

After collecting lunch, she’d climbed over the fence and crossed the paddock. Upon approach to the open barn door, she’d heard Jason and another man talking, catching perplexing snippets.Brother from another tank? Cyborg?She’d assumed the other man speaking was Dusty, whom she’d never met, until she got inside.

And recognized the blond man from Blane’s office.

Big and little pieces snapped into place—Jason’s secrecy, his tolerance for cold, his eating habits, the stealthy way he moved, why he had a weapon.

“Honoria, stop!” Jason’s voice sounded close; he was gaining on her.

Gasping, she pumped her legs harder, expecting to be tackled at any second.No. No. No.

“Honoria!”

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